just hatched, chick in trouble? please help!!

[JavasAndDutchBs]

We had one or two in our last hatch with funny feet that we thought were an issue - but we left them in the incubator to be sure they were dry and moving about before transferring them and day by day saw bits of improvement until everything just started looking normal. I think it wise to be watchful - but be hopeful as well that it will normalize in time.

 

[chickienewbie88]

We had one or two in our last hatch with funny feet that we thought were an issue - but we left them in the incubator to be sure they were dry and moving about before transferring them and day by day saw bits of improvement until everything just started looking normal. I think it wise to be watchful - but be hopeful as well that it will normalize in time.
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[quote name="JavasAndDutchBs" url="/t/967697/just-hatched-chick-in-trouble-please-help/10#post_15076227"]
i know its blurry but you can see how the feet turn in.. the legs are directly below so i dont think it has splay leg.. is this what yours looked like? Im getting ready to give it some poly vitol and possibly booties.. or do you think it wont be necessary? Its been hatched since at least 6 pm (now 12am my time) and only seems to be getting worse.. little thing is just falling everywhere bc it cant walk..

 

[JavasAndDutchBs]

Yes - somewhat close --- it almost looked 'lifeless' to us. We were just patient -- it took a few days not just hours. They were really crooked looking. On the downside we had one that just didn't seem to dry off and also couldn't walk - it was weak for some reason and did die --- but its feet didn't look crooked. These other two the feet (one on each) almost looked 90-degree angled & we really thought there was something wrong and they wouldn't make it --- but we just waited, and waited & then ---their feet just straightened out and worked right --- really miraculous to see the change. We're still learning too --- but in those two cases --- our patience was the right thing to do. They are really fine in every way now.

 

[JavasAndDutchBs]

By the way you seem to have a LOT of condensation - ergo humidity - much more than we did --- just curious --- what is your level of humidity and is that working for you?

 

[chickienewbie88]

thats so amazing!! Hopefully mine will be the same. Its moving around and everything, just not walking. Im at 70% humidity.... did most of the incubation between 40 and 50, which ended up being a problem for the entire left side of my bator (very little air cells at day 14 candle) so i rotated them to the other side and dropped humidity until lockdown. They lost the water and were fine by then. Then cranked it up to 70% on day 18.. so far i have 2 hatched and 2 pips, their membranes seem nice and most even though they pipped awhile ago. I think the condensation is so bad bc i have most paper towels on the floor where the eggs are (which is also incidentally right below the heating elements) instead of in the bottom. I think its working well? This is my first hatch so im just guessing really. How long is it supposed to take a chick to get dry?

 

[JavasAndDutchBs]

A few hours to dry --- or so --- it depends a little bit on the level of humidity you have. Most people recommend you don't rush to get them out of the incubator --- we've learned that our impatience is the most likely thing to harm the natural process --- So let the others all hatch that will and don't be in a rush to get them out of the incubator. Ideally they all hatch (that will) within 24 hours --- but it can take a few days depending on the exact lay/time/date of the fertilized eggs. We had ours shipped to us --- so did not control the entire process--- & probably lost some just from the shipping. We got 10 live births of 28 eggs and unfortunately 8 were ROOS! So we still have 6 roosters to rehome, as we can't keep them in our neighborhood --- only hens. They are beautiful though. So sad to have to rehome or ...the alternative :-( soon if we can't rehome. All the best with your hatch!

 

[chickienewbie88]

Mine still havent dried, theyve been out about 6 hours.. but i think its the humidity.. i actually just saw that i have another little (looks like blue) silkie zipping its way out now.. so 3 of 8 so far, with one pip. The others have been rocking though, so im hopeful!! Thank you for all of your help!!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Mine still havent dried, theyve been out about 6 hours.. but i think its the humidity.. i actually just saw that i have another little (looks like blue) silkie zipping its way out now.. so 3 of 8 so far, with one pip. The others have been rocking though, so im hopeful!! Thank you for all of your help!!

Yes, the condensation signifies that the humidity is too high and be lessend a bit. If your brooder is ready and warmed to at least 95F you can take advantage of the high humidity (if you haven't already) and mobve them. When to pull chicks out of the bator is a personal decision. As long as you have adequate humidity there should be no problems moving them. I move mine shortly after they hatch, once they are moving.
The chick with the foot problem. I'm assumiing what you are seeing are curled toes. This can be fixed. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html The chicken chick has a good blog post on this. If they are still curled this morning I would take a look at this and try the foot brace.
Good luck with the rest of your hatch!

 

[chickienewbie88]

i now have 4 chicks, 3 blue (in 3 different shades from light silver to dark grey) and 1 that looks like a splash. The splash one had curled toes last night but they seem to be straightening on their own in the brooder. The newest hatchling also seems to have them, but i put it in the brooder with the others and am going to give it a little more time to see if they straighten like the other ones did. those little booties are kind of the cutest thing ive ever seen! The chicks are SO tiny though, i dont even know how i would boot them! Theyre literally no longer than an inch, i could fit probably 10 of them comfortably in my hand ( and i have tiny hands). Its just unbelievable!!! so i have 4 eggs left, one with a pip!

 

[JavasAndDutchBs]

Aww - glad to know you have 4 so far and are seeing the feet uncurl! Snap a photo when you can and share - we're so curious to see them!